PERMISSION has been granted for a major 700-megawatt battery energy storage system in Port Glasgow.

Renewable energy storage specialist Apatura has secured approval for the new development at Auchentiber.

The company says it is the largest planning consent for a standalone battery energy storage system (BESS) in Scotland to date, and the biggest ever secured by the firm.

Bosses from the company say the development will create new job opportunities for the area.

It is also the fourth consent for the firm in less than 12 months, and Apatura says it expects more to follow soon.

Permission was granted by Scottish ministers after an application was made to the government's energy consents unit.

The generating capacity of the development meant that the application was dealt with directly by the Scottish Government rather than by Inverclyde Council.

The local authority was given the opportunity to provide feedback on the proposal and, the company says, did not lodge an objection.

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Andrew Philpott, chief development officer at Apatura, said: “We are delighted that ministers have supported this critically important scheme and the local council lodged no objections. 

“Our focus on Scotland is central to our vision to harness its renewable energy potential.

“This latest planning consent is not only the largest consent for a stand-alone battery scheme in Scotland, but it also positions us at the forefront of delivering resilient energy infrastructure.

“This is also a central goal of the NGESO Beyond 2023 report which highlighted the vital role of BESS in Scotland.”

The Auchentiber BESS, which will comprise a battery electricity storage facility and associated infrastructure and involve the planting of new native species trees to improve biodiversity, was approved on September 11.

Apatura bosses say when it comes online, the development will make a substantial contribution to the Scottish Government’s goal of generating 50 per cent of Scotland's overall energy consumption from renewable sources, and to have decarbonised its energy system almost completely by 2050.

The firm says the development will lead to improved 'grid resilience', and will also see a community benefit fund created.

Apatura also says there will be direct employment opportunities  during the construction, operational and decommissioning phases, as well as indirect job creation throughout the supply chain and related services.

A BESS is an advanced technology system designed to store electrical energy during periods of high generation and low demand which can then be exported back into the grid network during periods of high demand.

In their decision letter, Scottish ministers acknowledged that Apatura conducted 'good practice' community engagement.

Grid scale battery energy storage, ministers say, provides a means to store the electricity generated from the wind and sun at times when electricity generation outstrips demand or when the capacity of a constrained electricity grid is insufficient to supply the generated electricity to consumers.

On this basis battery energy storage makes an indirect but significant contribution to renewable energy generation targets and greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets, by effectively increasing the productivity of renewable generators elsewhere on the grid.

The decision letter went on to state the proposal ‘will contribute to sustainable development, providing for greater and more efficient use of renewable energy generation in the electricity system, and in this regard, it will contribute to greenhouse gas emissions reduction ambitions.’

Mr Philpott added: “Our BESS plays a crucial role in modern energy management, especially in the context of renewable energy integration and grid stability.

“It is central to our goal of enhancing the renewable energy infrastructure in Scotland and follows on from a number of recent successful planning consents.

“This scheme will help deliver stable energy prices, leading to reduced bills, taking the pressure off households while at the same time increasing energy security.

“We are determined to deliver reliable, clean energy to communities across the country and this latest planning consent does just that.”